Run Camp draws an interesting mix of participants.

The "Fourth Friday" numbers have been tabulated, and the annual demographic snapshot of who is attending Run Camp provides the usual blend of predictability and surprises, according to Camp Statistician Joel Pennington.

The demographic people "like to watch" is the male-female breakdown, says Pennington, noting that this year 32 percent of campers are female and 23 percent are male. "I must say the differential is not as great as a lot of people thought it would be. They tend to think we have a lot more women this year," said Pennington, "but this is precisely why we go through this scientific process. Statistics don't lie."

One figure that never seems to change, said Pennington, is average age. "It's always been 37. It's always going to be 37. In fact, we didn't even run the numbers this year. It's 37, trust me."

Other camp statistics of note:

Where campers come from:
• Plainwell 12%
• Hastings 8%
• Portage 6%
• Keokuk, Iowa 5%
• Kankakee, Illinois 5%
• Kokomo, Indiana 5%
• Walla Walla, Washington 5%
• Kalamazoo 4%
• All others, 50%

Biggest challenges facing campers:
• Distance running 40%
• Rotten weather 40%
• Jerky boyfriend 10%
• Missing Saturday cartoons 10%

And . . .

• 24 percent of campers have never had a dog fall off the back of their pickup or jump out of their car window.
• 88 percent of campers couldn't name the Detroit Tigers mascot (Paws Paws)
• 33 percent of campers didn't know that 84.6 of all statistics are made up.

They're Putting the Runway in Run Camp

Nicole and Lindsey square off over a saucer of milk



"I guess we could have predicted it," said Run Camp Fashionista Melinda Dobson, special consultant and guest judge for this year's SnowBuster Best-Dressed Competition. "You get 700 upwardly mobile people in a competitive setting and, well, LOOK OUT!!!"

Even with eight weeks to go, two Plaidiators -- runway names Nicole and Lindsey -- have emerged as the runaway favorites in the annual contest, each staying so far with dominant strains of pink. Lindsey is leaning toward the hotter fuchsias, magentas and persians, while Nicole has made more subtle selections in the coral, salmon and thulian families.

"Just looking at the history of how run camp fashions have blossomed in the spring the past few years, I think it's safe to say we 'won't be stuck in the neutrals' this year, and while you might see some beiges emerge," said Dobson, "splashes of bolder colors will be de rigueur." Dobson noted that plaid happened to be a hit both at the New York and Australian shows, "but my guess is that both lucked on to the Plaidators, and didn't engineer their way onto Harden's team. They're wiley and cunning competitors, no doubt, but I don't think either one of them is THAT good."

Dobson said the competition is so close, "it could come down to neckware, and that's a strong suit for both competitors. "Lindsey knows how to make a bold, contrasting statement with a scarf, but Nicole's choice of camp colors is not accidental, let me assure you."

This changes everything!

Team Leader Colleen Cachero explains Good Form Sitting to her team.

"I've never been so comfortable!"

"This will change how I sit from now on!"

"Who would have thought?"

Those are just of the few glowing testimonials from the SnowBusters teams who have piloted the soon-to-be-introduced, stand-alone (if you'll excuse the expression) Good Form Sitting.

This proprietary and revolutionary new program has made it possible for beginners and veterans alike -- even people who have been sitting their entire lives! -- to enjoy this experience in a whole new way. "I can sit for hours now!" said one happy camper.

New SnowBusters Team Leader Colleen Cachero introduced the program to camp organizers, and because it was so popular with Cachero's team, organizers will be advertising special sessions.

"We've got team members who love to just sit around, so why not do it right?" asked Cachero in pitching the new program.

The basic premise, Cachero explains, is to put your rear end on the floor. "Some people then put their back on the floor, but we call that lying down," says Cachero, "and that leads to lying around, which basically just isn't very good for you. People who have been lying around all their lives are the perfect candidate for this program."

Who's It Going to Be? Rob or Nick? Or will a new pretender emerge?

Gazelle Sports insiders say that Rob Lillie is putting up a brave front, but that privately he's worried that Nick Nolte has regained his form.

"I think I'm a better Rob Lillie than I've ever been," said the winner of the last eight Rob Lillie Look-Alike Contests. "No, I'm not in great shape. But I've been working on that smile that I know the judges love."

It was nine years ago that Nolte last won the contest, his third in four tries, before he took a public tumble. In 2003, he submitted a jail mugshot and finished a distant fourth and hasn't competed since.

Insiders say that because Nolte hasn't been on the public scene for a while, the younger judges will overlook the actor's 'glam factor,' but they also say Lille is doing a lot more schmoozing this year with Run Campers.

Run Camp Hits The Big Time!

It doesn't get any bigger than this. Borgess Run Camp organizers announced today that they have booked a celebrity appearance at Run Camp by none other than Sean Young.

"This, to me, is the most important event at camp since we saw that car out on H Avenue that looked just like the car Shawn Christian drives," said Mack Jones, veteran camper and celebrity follower.

Young is expected to work the Kalamazoo Area Runners table in the post-run festivities on February 26, in Classroom 3.

This puts to rest rumors that Run Camp organizers had landed Shannon Kane, who joined All My Children in October 2008 as Natalie Fowler, the there-to-unknown daughter of Jesse Hubbard, a child he'd fathered during the 20-odd years he was believed to have been dead.

Sean Young is reprising her "bad girl" Meggie McClain role on The Young and The Restless.

How did SnowBusters pull off this coup? "I think the big turnout helped make possible what must be an outrageous appearance fee," guessed Jones. "But, truthfully, I think they got lucky and inked the deal before Sean knew she was going to be Meggie again."